Kenny to meet Romney at Olympic Games

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to meet with Barack Obama’s rival for the US presidency on Friday.

Mr Kenny will see Governor Mitt Romney as the two visit London for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Mr Romney is also to meet the leaders of Poland and Israel.

The Republican nominee for the US presidency asked for the meeting with the Taoiseach and it is no coincidence that all three countries relate to key ethnic voting blocks in the November election.

Mr Obama raised eyebrows earlier this month when he described Ireland as a “tax haven” in a statement attacking Mr Romney’s personal financial affairs.

Under the heading: “Has Mitt Romney avoided US taxes by investing millions in tax havens?” the Republican candidate’s financial involvement with Ireland was listed, along with those in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Switzerland.

Mr Romney has accused the Obama campaign of telling “lies” about him and his business dealings in an election that has become increasingly bitter.

Though Mr Obama retains a clear lead in the polls, his re-election is by no means guaranteed given the volatile state of the US economy.

Mr Kenny will also use the trip to visit members of the Irish team.